Knocking socks off in Knockanstockan

Ireland’s most picturesque music festival kicked off yesterday evening in a breathtaking setting beside Blessington Lakes in Co Wicklow.

Knockanstockan was founded seven years as a do-it-yourself festival for up and coming music acts.

The DIY vibe remains as the three-day festival in Lacken is a not-for-profit venture and all those who work at it are volunteers. Enemies, singer-songwriter Liza Flume and Mumblin' Deaf Ro are among the line-up of some 150 acts taking place over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Bruce Springsteen plays the last dates of his five Irish tour tonight and tomorrow night in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny.

He amazed locals by turning up with his band and crew to KBowl Kilkenny in the town on Thursday night.

The bowling alley posted on its Facebook page: "It was a once in a life time experience for everyone who was a part of this great occasion."

Springsteen hung around afterwards to sign autographs for excited fans.

The weekend's big outdoor festival action also features the legendary music composer Ennio Morricone who plays the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham tonight and tomorrow night. These are his first Irish concerts.

Morricone is one of the most prolific and successful writers of film scores in Hollywood history, most notably for the spaghetti westerns of the 1970s.